1 Corinthians 4:14

King James Version (KJV)

I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

I write not these things to shame you - It is not by way of finding fault with you for not providing me with the necessaries of life that I write thus; but I do it to warn you to act differently for the time to come; and be not so ready to be drawn aside by every pretender to apostleship, to the neglect of those to whom, under God, you owe your salvation.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

To shame you - It is not my design to put you to shame by showing you how little you suffer in comparison with us. This is not our design, though it may have this effect. I have no wish to make you ashamed, to appear to triumph over you or merely to taunt you. My design is higher and nobler than this.

But as my beloved sons - As my dear children. I speak as a father to his children, and I say these things for your good. No father would desire to make his children ashamed. In his counsels, entreaties, and admonitions, he would have a higher object than that.

I warn you - I do not say these things in a harsh manner, with a severe spirit of rebuke; but in order to admonish you, to suggest counsel, to instil wisdom into the mind. I say these things not to make, you blush, but with the hope that they may be the means of your reformation, and of a more holy life. No man, no minister, ought to reprove another merely to overwhelm him with shame, but the object should always be to make a brother better; and the admonition should be so administered as to have this end, not sourly or morosely, but in a kind, tender, and affectionate manner.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

In reproving for sin, we should distinguish between sinners and their sins. Reproofs that kindly and affectionately warn, are likely to reform. Though the apostle spoke with authority as a parent, he would rather beseech them in love. And as ministers are to set an example, others must follow them, as far as they follow Christ in faith and practice. Christians may mistake and differ in their views, but Christ and Christian truth are the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Whenever the gospel is effectual, it comes not in word only, but also in power, by the Holy Spirit, quickening dead sinners, delivering persons from the slavery of sin and Satan, renewing them both inwardly and outwardly, and comforting, strengthening, and establishing the saints, which cannot be done by the persuasive language of men, but by the power of God. And it is a happy temper, to have the spirit of love and meekness bear the rule, yet to maintain just authority.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

14. To shame you. Paul feared that he had spoken too harshly, and set about to mitigate his severe remarks. There was reason for the Corinthian church members to be put to shame on account of their striving and party quarrels, and of their conceited ideas of their own importance. With true Christian courtesy Paul was considerate of their feelings and did not desire to cause them to lose their self-respect. When those who are in error are led to see their sin, care must be exercised to prevent loss of their self-respect (see MH 167, 168).

My beloved sons. Literally, “my beloved children.” Paul claimed the believers at Corinth as his spiritual children for whom he had labored. He addressed them as a father, one who desired only their good, and who would not wish to give them pain. All undershepherds who have the mind of the Master Shepherd will constantly seek to relieve the sufferings of the sheep, to bind their wounds and alleviate their pain (see Ps. 147:3; Isa. 61:1, 2; John 10:11).

Warn. Literally, “to put in mind,” hence, “to admonish,” “to exhort.” The things presented in vs. 7-13 were not written in a spirit of harsh severity to rebuke the Corinthians. They were intended, not to discourage them, but to impart the wise counsel of a loving father who was anxious to save his children from disaster and to bring about a reformation in the church. A Christian should never reprove his brother for the purpose of embarrassing him and putting him to shame (see Rom. 14:10, 13; MH 166). The reproof or admonition should be given in a spirit of tender compassion for the erring, and with the object of helping him to find his way back into harmony with God (see Gal. 6:1, 2; DA 440; MH 495). Faithful, loving, sympathetic ministry to those who have stumbled and lost their way will be much more successful than cold condemnation and unfeeling rebuke (see James 5:20; 5T 246, 247).

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 277

Paul plainly set before the church the perils and the hardships that he and his associates had patiently endured in their service for Christ. “Even unto this present hour,” he declared, “we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; and labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” Verses 11-15. AA 277.1

He who sends forth gospel workers as His ambassadors is dishonored when there is manifested among the hearers so strong an attachment to some favorite minister that there is an unwillingness to accept the labors of some other teacher. The Lord sends help to His people, not always as they may choose, but as they need; for men are shortsighted and cannot discern what is for their highest good. It is seldom that one minister has all the qualifications necessary to perfect a church in all the requirements of Christianity; therefore God often sends to them other ministers, each possessing some qualifications in which the others were deficient. AA 277.2

The church should gratefully accept these servants of Christ, even as they would accept the Master Himself. They should seek to derive all the benefit possible from the instruction which each minister may give them from the word of God. The truths that the servants of God bring are to be accepted and appreciated in the meekness of humility, but no minister is to be idolized. AA 278.1

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